Why is Cole Palmer not playing for Chelsea against Gent tonight? England star absent from Europa Conference League despite goal records

Chelsea will be without talisman Cole Palmer for their Europa Conference League opener against Genk, live on talkSPORT.

The England international will miss the chance to build on his record-breaking Premier League heroics when the Blues return to Europe.

Palmer received widespread acclaim after scoring a staggering FOUR goals in the first half of Chelsea’s 4-2 victory over Brighton.

Last season’s Premier League Young Player of the Year has already set down a marker to challenge for the main gong this campaign, with six goals and four assists in just six games.

The only matches Palmer’s influence hasn’t been felt this season were the club’s Conference League playoff victory over Servette in August.

England’s Euro 2024 final goalscorer made substitute appearances in both legs of the 3-2 aggregate win against the Swiss side.

However, he won’t have the chance to score his first European goal since arriving at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea play Gent.

Why is Palmer not playing against Gent?

Palmer is ineligible to feature for Chelsea during the Conference League group stages having been omitted from their league phase squad.

The playmaker was left out by Enzo Maresca with load management in mind and can’t be re-added to a UEFA list until the winter period.

If the Blues were to prosper in all five potential competitions this season, Palmer’s teammates face the prospect of an 80-game season.

As well as their 38-game Premier League campaign, Chelsea will compete in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa Conference League.

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The west Londoners then take part in the 32-team Club World Cup next summer which runs from June to July 2025.

Palmer has already struggled with muscle fatigue this term, having limped out of Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Servette with a hamstring issue.

That discomfort forced him to withdraw from Lee Carsley’s first England squad during the September international break.

As a result, the decision was made by Maresca to lessen Palmer’s workload to avoid further muscle issues for the rest of the season.

Chelsea vs Gent: Team news

Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Disasi, Tosin, Badiasile, Veiga; Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall; Pedro Neto, Felix, Nkunku, Mudryk.

Subs: Sanchez, Bergstrom; Cucurella, Colwill; Caicedo, Fernandez, Dyer; Madueke, George, Guiu

Chelsea vs Gent: talkSPORT coverage

This Europa Conference League clash will take place on Thursday, October 3.

Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is scheduled for 8pm.

talkSPORT 2 will have live coverage from west London, with commentary Joe Shennan and former Chelsea defender Scott Minto.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

talkSPORT.com will also have you covered in our dedicated live blog.

Check out all the best free betting offers for this week’s action.